Idea: Create a machine that uses enzymes to be able to break down food before someone eats it if people are intolerant of that food.
1. Does this idea currently exist? If so, what is it? Can we innovate?
Currently, the specific idea of an enzyme machine does not exist. However, there are enzyme supplements (or pills) that can be taken that aids the digestion of foods that normally give certain people indigestion. These pills are called "digestive enzymes" that reduce bloating and constipation for those suffering from indigestion. Therefore, the idea of using enzymes that are not naturally part of the body to help people digest food they can’t normally eat exists, but the idea of creating a machine that allows food such as lipids to be broken down before the person eats it is not existent. Therefore, my idea was already an innovation to enzyme supplements because still solved the problem of indigestion and food intolerance, but just in a different way.
2. If it doesn't currently exist, expound on your idea.
For example, the enzyme, lactase, will break down lactose and the broken down lactose will be put in food products such as ice cream, and anybody who is lactose intolerant will be able to eat it. There will be different compartments in the machine that will accept certain kinds of food and the enzymes in the compartment will break it down before the food is incorporated into food products. Amylase enzymes will break down starch, pepsin enzymes will break down proteins, and so on.
3. Find scholarly research on your topic (include URL).
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up the chemical reactions within cells and are very important in digestion and metabolism of our bodies. Enzymes lock together with certain substrates to either bind the substrates together or break them apart. In this case, we must focus on the fact that enzymes break the substrate apart. If amylase locks together with starch, the result will come out as maltose, or malt sugar. Enzymes supplements are basically digestive enzymes in the form of a pill. This enzymes machine would be similar to the pill. The main difference would be that the food would be broken down outside the body in the machine and the pill breaks down the supplements within the body. Enzyme machines would be more beneficial because instead of having to worry about taking a pill every time you eat something that would give you indigestion, food products can be made with the food supplements already broken down, giving you the freedom to eat the product without a pill. According to healthline.com, digestive enzyme supplements reduce gas and bloating following a meal and aim to alleviate symptoms. With the Enzyme Machine, gas and bloating wouldn’t just be reduced and aimed for, but would be completely gone.
Cited Sources
“Why Are Enzymes Important? Enzymes and Digestion.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/why-are-enzymes-important#enzymes-and-digestion.
“Enzymes for Digestion with Lactase Lipase Amylase Bromelain and 15 More! One of the Best Digestive Enzyme Supplements for IBS, Gallbladder, Gas, Bloating, Constipation Relief. Vegetarian, Gluten-Free.” Amazon, Amazon, www.amazon.com/Intolerance-Gallbladder-Constipation-Vegetarian-Gluten-Free/dp/B01ECAEMPC.
Castro, Joseph. “How Do Enzymes Work?” LiveScience, Purch, 26 Apr. 2014, www.livescience.com/45145-how-do-enzymes-work.html.
“Digestive Enzymes for IBS: Best Supplements and Benefits.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/digestive-enzymes-for-ibs#potential-benefits.
1. Does this idea currently exist? If so, what is it? Can we innovate?
Currently, the specific idea of an enzyme machine does not exist. However, there are enzyme supplements (or pills) that can be taken that aids the digestion of foods that normally give certain people indigestion. These pills are called "digestive enzymes" that reduce bloating and constipation for those suffering from indigestion. Therefore, the idea of using enzymes that are not naturally part of the body to help people digest food they can’t normally eat exists, but the idea of creating a machine that allows food such as lipids to be broken down before the person eats it is not existent. Therefore, my idea was already an innovation to enzyme supplements because still solved the problem of indigestion and food intolerance, but just in a different way.
2. If it doesn't currently exist, expound on your idea.
For example, the enzyme, lactase, will break down lactose and the broken down lactose will be put in food products such as ice cream, and anybody who is lactose intolerant will be able to eat it. There will be different compartments in the machine that will accept certain kinds of food and the enzymes in the compartment will break it down before the food is incorporated into food products. Amylase enzymes will break down starch, pepsin enzymes will break down proteins, and so on.
3. Find scholarly research on your topic (include URL).
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up the chemical reactions within cells and are very important in digestion and metabolism of our bodies. Enzymes lock together with certain substrates to either bind the substrates together or break them apart. In this case, we must focus on the fact that enzymes break the substrate apart. If amylase locks together with starch, the result will come out as maltose, or malt sugar. Enzymes supplements are basically digestive enzymes in the form of a pill. This enzymes machine would be similar to the pill. The main difference would be that the food would be broken down outside the body in the machine and the pill breaks down the supplements within the body. Enzyme machines would be more beneficial because instead of having to worry about taking a pill every time you eat something that would give you indigestion, food products can be made with the food supplements already broken down, giving you the freedom to eat the product without a pill. According to healthline.com, digestive enzyme supplements reduce gas and bloating following a meal and aim to alleviate symptoms. With the Enzyme Machine, gas and bloating wouldn’t just be reduced and aimed for, but would be completely gone.
Cited Sources
“Why Are Enzymes Important? Enzymes and Digestion.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/why-are-enzymes-important#enzymes-and-digestion.
“Enzymes for Digestion with Lactase Lipase Amylase Bromelain and 15 More! One of the Best Digestive Enzyme Supplements for IBS, Gallbladder, Gas, Bloating, Constipation Relief. Vegetarian, Gluten-Free.” Amazon, Amazon, www.amazon.com/Intolerance-Gallbladder-Constipation-Vegetarian-Gluten-Free/dp/B01ECAEMPC.
Castro, Joseph. “How Do Enzymes Work?” LiveScience, Purch, 26 Apr. 2014, www.livescience.com/45145-how-do-enzymes-work.html.
“Digestive Enzymes for IBS: Best Supplements and Benefits.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/digestive-enzymes-for-ibs#potential-benefits.